The Brain Film Fest is back at the Parc with a day of films and discussions on mental health
It will be held on Friday, 20 March, at the Dr Antoni Pujadas Auditorium in Sant Boi de Llobregat
The programme includes two feature films and a morning short film session in which two audiovisual pieces co-created with professionals and people attended to in the Parc's Mental Health Network will be screened: “Juzgadas por la ignorancia” and “Cinc dies per trencar murs”
The sessions are free and include subsequent discussions led by professionals and people cared for at the facility.
Next Friday, 20 March, the Dr Antoni Pujadas Auditorium at Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu will once again host the travelling programme of the Brain Film Fest, which this year puts the spotlight on how architecture, town planning and landscape shape people's daily lives and emotional balance.
The Brain Film Fest—an international festival promoting awareness and discussion about the brain sponsored by the Pasqual Maragall Foundation and jointly hosted with Minimal Films—returns to the Parc under a partnership with Torrents d’Art, the institution's Arts in Health programme, and supported by Sant Boi Town Council.
The programme will include three sessions followed by discussions
The programme will kick off in the morning with a short film screening followed by a discussion panel featuring service users and professionals who have participated in two of the pieces linked to Parc Sanitari SJD: 'Juzgadas por la ignorancia' (Judged by Ignorance), co-created by the Cornellà Community Rehabilitation Service and Càmeres i Acció with the participation of users cared for by the service, and ‘Cinc dies per trencar murs’ (Five Days to Break Down Walls) by the production company La Kaseta involving staff and people treated at the Brians 1 Prison Psychiatric Hospitalisation Unit. You can book your free ticket HERE.
In the afternoon, the festival will show two films dealing with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Tourette syndrome, each followed by a discussion in which professionals and people receiving care will share their views:
- At 3 p.m. – Her Difference by Lola Doillin. Original version in French with Catalan subtitles.
Katia, a 35-year-old reporter, struggles to understand the difficulties she has in relating to others both personally and professionally. While working on a new documentary, she discovers autism spectrum disorder, a revelation which enables her to pin down what makes her different and come to terms with herself.
– Follow-up discussion moderated by Joanjo Esteban, director of Can Castells Centre d’Art, with Carlota Romans, psychiatrist and head of the Mental Health Area of Cerdanyola (CSMA, SRC and social club), and Natàlia Bel, a person with lived experience.,
– Book your free ticket HERE
- At 5:30 p.m. – I Swear by Kirk Jones. Original version in English with Catalan subtitles.
Based on the true story of John Davidson, the film tells the journey of a young man with Tourette syndrome who after years of misunderstanding and stigma becomes a leading activist. I Swear is a moving tale packed with humour and humanity which shows the transformational power of community, friendship and empathy.
This weekend, the film was recognised by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts which presented Robert Aramayo with the 2026 BAFTA Award for Best Actor.
– Follow-up discussion moderated by the Brain Film Fest team with Carlos Peña, associate psychiatrist at the UHEDI, and with the participation of the Catalan Association of Tourette Syndrome.
– Book your free ticket HERE
A festival dismantling stigmas
With its programme open to everyone, the Brain Film Fest confirms its commitment to destigmatising mental health and supports the work that Torrents d’Art has been doing for years in projects which connect creativity, care and community.
